Important Instructions: LFCS

Exam Details

  • The exams are delivered online and consist of performance-based tasks (problems) to be solved on the command line running Linux.

  • The exams consist of 17-20 performance-based tasks.

  • For the LFCS Exam, a score of 67% or above must be earned to pass.

  • The exams are expected to take 2 hours to complete.

  • The exams are proctored remotely via streaming audio, video, and screen sharing feeds.

What You Need For Your Exam

Candidates should run the PSI Online Proctoring System Check to verify that their machine meets the technical requirements for taking a proctored exam.

The online proctored exam is taken on PSI proctoring platform "Bridge", using the PSI Secure Browser (a web browser created to guarantee a secure exam delivery over a virtual connection).

PSI Secure Browser Download is made available to candidates at Exam Launch Time.

Candidates should review the Bridge FAQ Information, published by PSI, to prepare for the Secure Browser installation and be aware of how to resolve issues with the Installation/download or launch of their exam:

PSI Secure Browser FAQ (General) PSI Secure Browser - Linux OS Troubleshooting

Candidates must provide their own computer with:

  • Supported OS: Please review the System Requirements, published by PSI, in particular the supported Operating System Information.

  • All browsers are supported, however PSI highly recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome for the best exam scheduling experience, and because the secure browser is Chrome-based and will give a more accurate experience.

  • One active monitor (either built in or external) (NOTE: Dual Monitors are NOT supported) The Linux Foundation recommends a screen size of 15” or higher to support the ExamUI. The Linux Foundation recommends a screen resolution of 1080p.

  • Reliable internet access

    • Ensure others on the same internet connection are not performing activities that use excessive bandwidth (i.e. holding conference calls, streaming content, gaming, etc.)

    • A wired connection is often more stable and robust than a wireless connection

    • Turn off bandwidth-intensive services (e.g. file sync, dropbox, BitTorrent)

  • Microphone

    • Mac users may need to allow the PSI Secure Browser within their 'System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy' settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring.

    • Please check to make sure it is working before you start your exam session.

  • Webcam

    • Ensure the webcam is capable of being moved as you will have to pan your surroundings to check for potential violations of exam policy.

    • Mac users may need to allow the PSI Secure Browser within their 'System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy' settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring.

    • If you will be testing from an employer-provide ISP or will use an employer provided machine, please ensure that streaming will be allowed using WebRTC.

  • To ensure a smooth exam experience, we recommend using personal devices without stringent security features, and on which you have the privileges needed to install applications and to end system process' and services.

  • We strongly advise test takers to avoid using work-provided devices for their exams, as this practice can result in technical challenges. Although it is sometimes possible to initiate and access the exam on such devices, work devices often come with security features and work-related applications that can disrupt the exam software, causing technical complications.

Candidates are not allowed to have other applications or browser windows running except the one on which the Exam is being shown.

Please review the PSI Bridge Platform: System Requirements to ensure your machine will meet the requirements of our online proctor.

Acceptable Testing Location

Below are the expectations for an acceptable testing location:

  • Clutter-free work area​

    • No objects such as paper, writing implements, electronic devices, or other objects on top of surface.

    • No objects such as paper, trash bins, or other objects below the testing surface.

  • Clear walls

    • No paper/print outs hanging on walls.

    • Paintings and other wall décor is acceptable.

    • Candidates will be asked to remove non-décor items prior to the exam being released.

  • Lighting

    • Space must be well lit so that proctor is able to see candidate’s face, hands, and surrounding work area.

    • No bright lights or windows behind the examinee.

  • Other

    • Candidate must remain within the camera frame during the examination.

    • Space must be private where there is no excessive noise. Public spaces such as coffee shops, stores, open office environments, etc. are not allowed.

Please see the Linux Foundation Certification Exams: Candidate Handboo​k for additional information covering policies, procedures and rules​ during the exam.

ID Requirements to take the Exam

Candidates need to provide identification (ID) that meets the requirements outlined below:

  • All IDs must be a valid (unexpired) Government-issued original, physical document (not photocopied or electronic)

  • IDs must include the candidate's name, photo, and signature*

    • *Government-issued biometric IDs that do not contain signature will be accepted

  • The first and last name on the ID must exactly match the verified name entered on your exam checklist

  • Acceptable forms of ID:

    • International travel passport

    • Government-issued driver’s license/permit

    • Government-Issued local language ID (with photo and signature)

    • National identity card State or province-issued identity card

    • Alien registration card (green card or permanent resident/visa)

    • 住民基本台帳 (Basic Resident Register with photo) or マイナンバーカード(My Number Card)

  • Minors, between the age of 16-18, are permitted to take an online proctored exam with PSI, provided they complete the following requirements:

    • A Parent/Guardian must complete the Parental Release for Testing of Minors form, and submit it to trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org, at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled date of the exam

    • At check in, the minor candidate must present a valid student ID as a form of identification

    • During the PSI check-in process, the candidate's guardian must also present a valid ID and must provide verbal consent during the PSI check-in process.

Sanctioned Countries

Exams may be administered to citizens of a sanctioned country listed below PROVIDED the citizens are tested OUTSIDE the sanctioned country and their exam registration and current ID show an address OUTSIDE the sanctioned country.

  • Cuba

  • Iran

  • Syria

  • North Korea

  • Crimea Region of Ukraine

Resources allowed during exam

The following tools and resources are allowed during the Exam as long as they are used by Candidate to work independently on exam tasks (i.e. not used for 3rd party assistance or research) and are accessed from within the Linux server terminal on which the Exam is delivered (resources that cannot be accessed from within the terminal are not allowed):

  • Man pages

  • Documents installed by the distribution (i.e. /usr/share and its subdirectories)

  • Packages that are part of the distribution (may also be installed by Candidate if not available by default) If you decide to install packages (not required to complete tasks) to your exam environment, you will want to be familiar with standard package managers (apt, dpkg, dnf, and yum)

Please see the Candidate Handboo​k for additional information covering policies, procedures and rules​ during the exam.

Exam Environment

  • You must complete each task in this exam on a designated host. An infobox at the start of each task provides you with the host name.

  • You will be directed to ssh​ ​ into appropriate containers and remote nodes, where needed, at the start of each question.

  • If no ssh​ ​ instruction is provided, you must answer the question on the base node (hostname:node-1​).

  • When you have finished working on a node other than node-1​ ​, you must ensure that you return to node-1​ when you have completed the item.

  • Nested ssh​ ​ is not supported.

  • ~/.ssh/config​ is configured appropriately for both the root​ ​ and student​ ​ users to ssh​ ​ to all nodes as root​, and you can also find entries in /etc/hosts​ ​ for all containers/remote nodes that may be required during your exam for your reference.

  • You must not reboot the base node: node-1. Rebooting the base node will not restart your exam environment.

  • You are free to reboot any node other than node-1​ ​ at any time.

  • You may obtain root​ ​ privileges at any time using the following command: sudo -i

  • You should not manipulate the firewall on the base node (hostname: node-1​ ​).

Technical Instructions

  1. Root privileges can be obtained by running 'sudo −i'.

  2. Do not stop or tamper with the certerminal process as this will END YOUR EXAM SESSION.

  3. Do not block incoming ports 8080/tcp, 4505/tcp and 4506/tcp. This includes firewall rules that are found within the distribution's default firewall configuration files as well as interactive firewall commands.

  4. Use Ctrl+Alt+W instead of Ctrl+W. Ctrl+W is a keyboard shortcut that will close the current tab in Google Chrome.

  5. The Terminal (Terminal Emulator Application) is a Linux Terminal, to copy & paste within the Linux Terminal you need to use LINUX keyboard shortcuts: Copy = Ctrl+Shift+C Paste = Ctrl+Shift+V (Or use the right-click context menu and select Copy or Paste)

  6. In other applications on the Remote Desktop (which is on a Linux Desktop), you'll want to use: Copy = Ctrl+C

    Paste = Ctrl+V

  7. For security reasons, the INSERT key is prohibited within the Remote Desktop. Candidates can Type i to switch into insert mode so that you can start editing the file. Once you're done, press the escape key Esc to get out of insert mode and back to command mode.

  8. Installation of services and applications included in this exam may require modification of system security policies to successfully complete.

FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) can be found ​here.

If you need additional help, please login with your LF Account to https://trainingsupport.linuxfoundation.org and use the search bar to find an answer to your question, or select your request type from the categories provided.

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